Design Manager – Kitchen - George Home – Senior Designer
Based at Asda House in Leeds

About the role:

We have a brilliant opportunity for a creative Design Manager/ Senior Designer to join our team at Asda House in Leeds.

The customer will be at the heart of your thinking, designing for real life. You will be passionate about trend, lifestyle and interiors, innovative in your research, translating lifestyle and homewares trends for the everyday and special occasions in our customers life. You’ll be prepared to challenge yourself and others. Working as a team, alongside buyers & merchandisers, to deliver highly desirable product that delight and appeal to our George Home Customer.

A wealth of experience in homewares is critical – preferably within kitchen categories such as textiles, cook, and dine. You will be required to deliver innovative designs in both print and pattern and 3d shape and form. You will need to be a highly motivated individual able to multi task, working with varying lead times and countries alongside both our supply base and internal buying teams.

The role reports to the Senior Design Manager and will have ownership of own category as well as support and influence the seasonal trend direction.

The ins & outs:

· Trend forecasting and trend direction to fit the George Home customer
· Product/print design development from initial trend concepts to commercial product ranges.
· Excellent knowledge of our competitors and the wider market
· Experience in preparing and presenting design presentations to large audiences at all levels within the business and supply base
· Creating full spec design briefs that are easily interpreted by our supply base
· Inspirational travel with the confidence to shop independently or as part of the team
· Sourcing and product development travel – liaising directly with our supply base and factories.
· Drive trend and newness for our customer profiles.
· Accountable for managing deadlines and meeting critical paths and budgets.
· Direct product development with supplier base through regular development meetings both in the UK and abroad
· To drive development of self through regular 1-2-1, coaching & appraisals with line manager.
· Drive the departmental strategy, understand your role in delivering.
· Commercially aware and reacting accordingly to drive category performance
· Drive trend on license character and brands as relevant to the area

What you’ll need:

A proven track record in a Design Manager/ Designer role gained within a fast paced retail business you’ll be able to demonstrate producing original and innovative design. You will possess:

· Experience leading and engaging others
· Being a visionary and inspiring the wider design team and category teams
· Excellent knowledge of CAD software (including Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator)
· A proven track record in a similar Design Manager role
· Confident presentation & influencing skills
· Strong team player
· Excellent understanding of the ASDA customer
· Commercial acumen

The ideal candidate will have an experience of a retail environment, work well within a team, be strong minded and keen to contribute innovative ideas. Sounds like you? Then apply now.